Tanya M.

About Me

I am a former VP of Human Resources for a financial services firm, turned stay-at-home mom, who recently returned to work after a five-year sabbatical with my boys. I was born and raised in New York, graduated from Cornell (undergrad) and Columbia (graduate) and, after calling the Northeast home for 26 years, am now excited to call a sunny Tampa Suburb (that is conveniently located only 60 short minutes from Cinderella Castle) home! I have been a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel since 2009, and am incredibly blessed to have made so many life-long friends. I am an avid runner (thanks largely to the encouragement of my Moms Panel pals and spectacular runDisney races) and have run several of the Disney Marathons and runDisney Half Marathons. I also enjoy baking (especially making crazy cupcakes for my sons’ parties and classes), my role as class mom, ice skating and planning vacations for my family and others.

About My Family

I am the proud mom of two beautiful boys who are often mistaken for twins. I purchased Disney Vacation Club before having children. On a whim, I sought shelter under a sales kiosk at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during a summer storm. I was able to enjoy a number of wonderful child-free Disney trips before their arrival. Now, as my family’s self-appointed cheerleader, I regularly seek out creative, if not terribly typical events to celebrate with our Disney vacations. One summer, for example, we championed the loss of my youngest son’s front teeth. Our celebration included breakfast with Chip & Dale, a pair who share a similar “dental dilemma"! My boys are fans of all things Mouse. My little guy prides himself on telling his friends that his first trip to Disney took place inside his mommy’s belly!

About My Disney Experience

I have been visiting Walt Disney World for more than 35 years. I’ve stayed in every type of accommodation -- from a tent at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to a Villa at Disney's Beach Club Resort. As Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, we have the wonderful opportunity to travel to the "World" throughout the year and have also enjoyed Disney's Vero Beach and Hilton Head resorts. I've shared my love of Disney with neighbors, family and even a couple behind me awaiting an oil change! Some of my best planning tidbits have gone to special-needs moms to whom I've suggested take time to enjoy what I have deemed, spontaneous, "Non-Space Mountain Moments," including hula hoops on Main Street U.S.A. and dancing water fountains at Epcot. In addition to an array of planning tips, I try to offer a unique perspective on how to make Walt Disney World an amazing adventure for individuals with a variety of needs and abilities by helping them plan trips that are as magical as they are.

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Disneyland® Resort or Disney Vacation Club® vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.